Will Arsenal release the hounds on the Foxes?

Leicester vs. Arsenal Match Preview – Premier League 31.08.2014

After a tense few outings saw us draw away to Besiktas and Everton, this was shaping up to be a rough week. The second leg visit from Besiktas, coupled with the looming close of the transfer-window, threatened to derail a season before it’s even really begun. Amidst all of that stress, it would be easy to overlook newly promoted Leicester—just the kind of banana peel we’ve slipped on in so many seasons past.

However, there’s a steelier glint to this squad than I remember. In our last three matches, we’ve scored four stoppage-time goals, manufacturing positive results that more than make up for the lack of sex appeal. By this point last season, we had already delivered a number of more-confident wins in what felt like a brilliant start (after a debacle of an opener). Having gone through to the Champions League group-stage thanks to a tetchier, sphincter-clenching 1-0 win on Wednesday might encourage use to let our guard down, especially when we can wait until Sunday to face a club that hasn’t been in the Prem since 2004.

Their return to the top flight started brightly enough with a 2-2 draw with Everton on opening day, but they’ve faltered of late, losing at 0-2 at Stamford Bridge before losing to League 2’s Shrewsbury in the league cup on Tuesday. Whether that demoralizes or inspires the Foxes is anyone’s guess, but we can ill-afford to drop points on our visit. One of our best qualities last season was minimizing points dropped to squads sitting mid-table or below, and that’s something we’ll certainly have to sustain going forward this season if we’re to have any chance at keeping up with or overtaking Chelsea and Man City.

Injuries have already robbed us of key players; just as importantly, they’ve forced us to play in different formations and with players in new positions—not to mention bedding in three new starters along the way. If we’ve looked less fluid and convincing as a result, well, what do you expect? Giroud’s injury in particular has changed how we’ll set up. No longer will we have a target-man to hold the ball up and occupy defenders. In his stead, Alexis may again start up top, accelerating a plan that Arsène might have preferred to roll out more gradually. It didn’t quite work against Everton, but it looked sharper against Besiktas and should be more than enough to overcome the Foxes.

LAST 3

• Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (15.05.2004)
• Leicester 1-1 Arsenal (06.12.2003)
• Leicester 1-3 Arsenal (23.01.2002)

FACTFILE

• Arsenal have not lost to Leicester since January 2000—when Leicester knocked us out of the FA Cup on penalties.
• Arsenal are undefeated in our last seven Premier League matches.
• The clubs first met way back in 1895, a 3-1 win to Leicester.

INJURIES

Walcott, Giroud, Arteta, Gibbs, Ospina, and Gnabry will all be unavailable. Sanogo is a doubt.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Szczesny; Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Debuchy; Flamini, Ramsey; Özil, Wilshere, Cazorla, Alexis.

This one looks to be our first chance to release the hounds after tenser, nervier fixtures, and I see an early goal from Cazorla paving the way to victory.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Leicester 0-3 Arsenal

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